Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
By the end, Grove Hill was victorious by ten runs, six of which had come from Cutter. We packed up and waited for Cutter and Weston to join us.
“Great game,” I said as Cutter came toward me with a smile on his face. I gave him a high five, which had become a thing for us. At this point, I’d take any “thing” I could as long as it kept a smile on his face. The three of us had been going to therapy, mostly to learn how to deal with our grief. It seemed to be helping, and it gave Cutter and Nova someone to talk to who wasn’t me. Although Weston had said Cutter confided in him, which made me happy.
“Thanks,” he said as he ran his hand through his hair. It’d gotten longer and shaggier since his mom passed away. I’d asked him about cutting it, but he didn’t seem interested.
“What do you say we go out for pizza?” I asked.
“I was wondering if I could go out to dinner with Eleni and her parents?” Cutter asked.
“Yep, of course. Are her parents here?”
Cutter nodded and pointed. They waved, and I told Cutter I’d take his bag home. He dropped it by my feet and ran toward his girlfriend and her family.
“Nova!”
I turned to see Mara running toward us. The two girls hugged as if they hadn’t seen each other in weeks instead of hours. They had the cutest giggle, and watching them together reminded me so much of when Miri and I were that age.
A soft yet firm hand found my lower back. I eased into Weston, closing the small gap between us. His comfort was so welcome. It was like he knew when I needed him. I sighed as I watched the girls and smiled as Mara’s mom came toward us.
“Is Nova busy the rest of the day?”
I shook my head slowly. “We don’t have anything planned.”
“Do you mind if she comes over for a bit? We’re having some family over, and Mara won’t have anyone to play with.”
“Not at all. When should I pick her up?”
“We’ll bring her back after dinner.”
I gave Nova a kiss and told her to have fun, then turned to face Weston. “Please tell me you don’t have plans.”
He smiled softly. “Just with you and Scout.”
I took a deep inhale, thankful I had at least someone to spend the rest of my afternoon with. We started toward the parking lot with our arms full of bags. Weston put Cutter’s stuff in his truck and then surprised the hell out of me when he kissed me in the parking lot.
“Oh, wow, um . . .”
He giggled. “I’m going to run home and let Scout out. Then I’ll be over.”
“With pizza?”
Weston nodded, winked, and headed toward his truck. I climbed into my car and made the drive back to town by myself, listening to a self-help audiobook about moving past grief and growing positively. It had been easy to start with the hate when I’d found out Miri was sick, but after a while, the negativity of it all had weighed so heavily on me that I felt drained.
I followed Weston all the way back to town and to the road we lived on. He honked as he continued toward his house. I pulled into the driveway and stared at the house. Summer was approaching, and a decision needed to be made—not only about here but about my job. The company wasn’t going to continue to let me work remotely, even though there hadn’t been an interruption in how much business I was bringing in.
The thought of giving up Miri’s dream home hurt my heart, and I couldn’t imagine parting with the money pit. I got out of the car, took Nova’s bag into the house, went to the refrigerator, took out the bottle of wine I had chilling in there, and poured two glasses. I carried them both to the front porch, set one down for Weston, and then sat in the rocking chair.
I looked out over the yard at the blooming flowers Cutter, Nova, and I had planted, and the ones Miri had planted. The flower beds were colorful and full of life, exactly the way she would’ve wanted. Tomorrow, we’d go visit her at the cemetery and take Miri fresh flowers. Her marker had finally arrived, and the sexton said he’d have it installed today.
Weston’s truck turned into the driveway. He got out and sauntered over to the porch. I tilted my head back when he came near; he leaned down to kiss me fully.
“You taste sweet.”
“That’s a compliment I’ve never had before.”
He laughed and sat in the other rocker. “This for me?”
“No, it’s for my other boyfriend.” The word slipped through my lips, and I smiled at the sound of it.